Understanding Children Through Play & Connection

📍 Location: Ballina RSL
📅 Date: Friday, May 8th 2026
🎤 Learn from Sarah Daley | Accredited Mental Health Social Worker & Registered Play Therapist™ & Director, Nested Hearts Therapy

Sarah doesn’t just teach theory, she helps make sense of real life. You’ll gain practical, trauma-informed tools to understand behaviour, build connection, and support children in everyday moments. Walk away feeling more confident, less alone, and better equipped to care.

What to Expect:

This is a supportive, face-to-face training day designed to meet you where you are — whether you’re a foster carer, kinship carer, or someone wanting to better understand children’s behaviour through a trauma-informed lens.

• You can expect:

  • A safe, welcoming space
    The day begins by acknowledging how demanding caring can be. Feelings of overwhelm, uncertainty, and exhaustion are normalised, and connection with others is encouraged.

  • Clear, relatable explanations
    Sarah breaks down what’s happening beneath children’s behaviour — including how trauma, stress, and fear affect developing brains and bodies — in a way that makes sense in real life.

  • Practical, play-based strategies
    Learn simple ways to build safety and connection through play and everyday interactions. No special toys, skills, or “perfect parenting” required.

  • Tools you can actually use
    Walk away with realistic ideas you can try straight away — during transitions, after meltdowns, at bedtime, or in those tricky in-between moments.

  • Connection with others
    Time to reflect, ask questions, and connect with fellow carers and attendees who understand the challenges — and the heart — of this work.

On the Day

• Warm welcome, tea & coffee, and connection time

• Trauma-informed training with Sarah Daley

• Morning tea & lunch provided

• Practical learning sessions and real-life examples

• Interactive group activities and discussion

• Space for carers to share stories and insights

• Connection with fellow carers and professionals

• Encouragement, laughter, and meaningful connection